This is the Russian side of the story. When Gorby and Maggy and Ronny were still in the world, they agreed that NATO would respect the idea -- agreed to during World War II -- that Russia would have a set of barrier states between it and Germany. This pledge was renewed.

More recently, the Americans announced a new missile system they plan to erect in Poland and Romania. It claims to be anti-missile system aimed at protecting Europe from Iranian missiles, but the Russians feel it can easily be re-purposed to offensive missiles aimed at Moscow from a few hundred kilometers away.

Even more recently, the Americans overthrew the government of the Ukraine, and now is financing and arming an army in that country. The EU has interests in this struggle.

None of this is covered in the Canadian media.

That's background to the situation in Syria. Let me remind you, Russia is there at the invitation of the official government of Syria.

Quote:

Russia Warns US Any Strikes On Syrian Army Would Lead To War: "Our S-300, S-400 Defenses Are Up And Running"

by Tyler Durden
Oct 6, 2016 11:51 AM

Yesterday morning we reported that in immediate retaliation for the US threat that the Pentagon may launch air strikes against the Assad regime in the latest and most dramatic escalation in the Syrian proxy war in years, Russia's Defense Ministry said that a battery of Russian S-300 air defense missile launchers has been transported to Syria. As Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said, “the Syrian Arab Republic received an S-300 anti-aircraft missile system. This system is designed to ensure the safety of the naval base in [Syrian city of] Tartus and ships located in the coastal area [in Syria]…”

Then, in an amusing twist, Konashenkov said it is unclear why the deployment of the missile system has created such a fuss in the West. "The S-300 is a purely defensive system and poses no threat,” he said.

To which we said that "of course, a defense system is precisely what the Pentagon would prefer to avoid in case an offensive attack was launched."

Today, Russia confirmed that the deployment of the Surface-to-Air missile battery was clearly aimed at containing US offensive ambitions, when the Defense Ministry cautioned the US-led coalition of carrying out airstrikes on Syrian army positions, adding in Syria there are "numerous S-300 and S-400 air defense systems up and running", as cited by RT.

Taking the mic for the second day in a row, Igor Konashenkov said that Russia currently has S-400 and S-300 air-defense systems deployed to protect its troops stationed at the Tartus naval supply base and the Khmeimim airbase. He added that "the radius of the weapons reach may be “a surprise” to all unidentified flying objects."

Uttering the loudest warning yet that any US-coalition airstrikes would be met with a Russian response, the Russian Defense Ministry said that any airstrike or missile hitting targets in territory controlled by the Syrian government would put Russian personnel in danger, clarifying that "members of the Russian Reconciliation Center in Syria are working on the ground delivering aid and communicating with a large number of communities in Syria."
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/.....enses-are-

Putin has made a series of speeches about the problem, trying to get the western media to help him head off this catastrophe, but Russia cannot allow the US to put forward missiles in the Ukraine. This is a selection from one, given before the General
Assembly of the United Nations.

If they allow such a missile base to be built, they feel it would make them sitting ducks. The obvious parallel would be to the Russian attempt to put missiles in Cuba.

We are moving into dangerous times. That's my premonition. The Obama administration has made a mess of the middle east, creating a migration crisis that involves Europe, and left us at the brink of war with Russia.

As election day looms in America, it appears the writing that Vladimir Putin drew on the wall just a few short months ago is coming to fruition. Having lost his patience with the constant spewing of anti-Russia propaganda - missing the bigger picture of vicious circle towards nuclear confrontation - Putin implored the western media, for the sake of the world, to listen:

We know year by year what's going to happen, and they know that we know. It's only you that they tell tall tales to, and you buy it, and spread it to the citizens of your countries. You people in turn do not feel a sense of the impending danger - this is what worries me. How do you not understand that the world is being pulled in an irreversible direction? While they pretend that nothing is going on. I don't know how to get through to you anymore.

[Emphasis in original]

In calm tones, not reflective of the angry allegations lobbed at Americans every day of a Russia hell-bent on the election of Trump (for whatever reason they dreamed up of this week), Putin reminded a 'deaf' press corps of what lies ahead and implicitly what happens if and when Americans vote for Hillary.

Trump claims that Clinton’s policy on Syria would lead to World War 3.

Let’s fact check …

The Washington Post points out that a vote for Clinton is a vote for escalating military confrontation in Syria and elsewhere:

Quote:

In the rarefied world of the Washington foreign policy establishment, President Obama’s departure from the White House — and the possible return of a more conventional and hawkish Hillary Clinton — is being met with quiet relief.

The Republicans and Democrats who make up the foreign policy elite are laying the groundwork for a more assertive American foreign policy, via a flurry of reports shaped by officials who are likely to play senior roles in a potential Clinton White House.

***

The studies, which reflect Clinton’s stated views, break most forcefully with Obama on Syria .... call[ing] for stepped-up military action to deter President Bashar al-Assad’s regime and Russian forces in ­Syria.

***

Most of the studies propose limited American airstrikes with cruise missiles to punish Assad ....

***

Last year, Obama dismissed calls for a no-fly zone in northwestern Syria — a position advocated by Clinton — as “half-baked.”

***

Even pinprick cruise-missile strikes designed to hobble the ­Syrian air force or punish Assad would risk a direct confrontation with Russian forces, which are scattered throughout the key ­Syrian military bases that would be targeted.

“You can’t pretend you can go to war against Assad and not go to war against the Russians,” said a senior administration official who is involved in Middle East policy and was granted anonymity to discuss internal White House deliberations.

The Russians have made it clear that if any of their people are at risk, they will retaliate or move to protect them. It amounts to a 'no-fly zone' being imposed on America. Which means that, if America lets this pass, it has lost hegemonic control over the eastern Mediterranean, crucial for the operation of the Suez canal.

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